More Employees At Port To Be Subpoenaed In Case

May 23, 1985|By Scott A. Zamost, Staff Writer

More Port Everglades employees will be subpoenaed in a probe of bidding procedures, the prosecutor handling the investigation said Wednesday.

``Obviously, there have been some allegations made that might involve wrongdoing on the part of port employees which has received some attention in the press,`` said Edward C. Pyers, the prosecutor in charge of government corruption cases. ``Therefore, we have a duty to resolve it, which we will attempt to do quickly.``

Statements were taken Wednesday from five port employees, most of whom work in the engineering department, which oversees bidding procedures.

Pyers, while declining to discuss specifics of the investigation, said he expected to issue subpoenas to an undetermined number of port employees and others who do not work at the port.

He said employees outside the engineering department are expected to be subpoenaed, and he did not rule out questioning port commissioners.

Commenting for the first time about the investigation, Pyers said he could not predict how long it would require to determine whether there was any wrongdoing. He said port officials have complied with all of the state attorney`s demands for documents.

``They have been very cooperative,`` Pyers said. ``Everything I`ve asked for, they`ve given me. They were very prompt in getting the records, and they left the door open for anything else I need.``

Pyers said he began the investigation about six weeks ago. The probe is focusing on about $13 million in port contracts.

The probe and the performance of Port Director James Connolly may be discussed at today`s port commission meeting.

Port Commissioner Stan Harris, who has criticized Connolly`s behavior, said Wednesday he may formally ask that Connolly keep the commissioners better informed. He said he expects the investigation will be discussed at the end of the meeting.

Commissioner Joseph DeLillo said he has not decided whether to censure Connolly.

``I`ve been concerned the commissioners don`t have as much input as I`d like, without interfering with the port director`s work,`` DeLillo said. ``At this point, I would wait to hear what the director has to say.``

Connolly has said he has followed proper procedures in operating the port.